Benton County

As of the latest census, Benton County, IA, has a population of approximately 26,076. The racial composition is about 97.2% White, 0.5% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, and 1.6% of two or more races. Hispanic or Latino origin people comprise about 2.1% of the population. The median age is roughly 42 years. The county has around 10,500 households, with an average household size of 2.49 and a family size of 2.99. The median household income is approximately $66,000.

As of the latest data, Benton County, IA has a median home value of approximately $160,000. The median rent is around $700 per month. The homeownership rate is 78%, and the county has a population density of 34 people per square mile. The average household size is 2.5 persons, and there are roughly 10,000 housing units in total within the county.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, local real estate listings.

As of the latest data available up to October 2023, Benton County, Iowa, conducts regular elections following state guidelines. Key offices up for election include County Board of Supervisors, County Auditor, County Treasurer, and County Sheriff.

Examples of numerical information in recent elections:

• Voter turnout in the 2020 General Election was approximately 75%.
• The 2022 Primary Election saw around 25% voter participation.

Candidates often vary per election cycle. For the 2022 General Election, notable candidates included:

• Supervisors: Rick Primmer (Republican), Randy Jahn (Democrat)
• County Auditor: Hayley Rippel (Republican, incumbent)
• County Treasurer: Kelly Geater (Republican, incumbent)
• County Sheriff: Ron Tippett (Republican, incumbent)

For precise and updated details, including results, candidate filings, and voter registration, refer to the Benton County Elections Office or the Iowa Secretary of State’s website.

As of the most recent data, Benton County, IA has a high school graduation rate of approximately 95%, which is higher than the national average of around 88% and the Iowa state average of about 94%. In terms of higher education, approximately 25% of Benton County residents have a bachelor's degree or higher. This is slightly below the national average of about 33% and the Iowa state average of approximately 30%. These figures suggest that Benton County is strong in high school education but trails slightly in higher education attainment compared to broader state and national levels.

As of recent data, Benton County, IA, has an employment rate of about 65.5%, which is slightly lower than the national average of roughly 61.6% but comparable to the state average of around 66%. The total labor force in Benton County is approximately 14,100, with an unemployment rate hovering around 3.5%, slightly better than the national rate of 3.7% but aligning closely with Iowa's 3.3%.

Top industries in Benton County include manufacturing, which employs about 22% of the workforce, followed by education and health services (20%), and retail trade (12%). Agriculture also plays a significant role, given the county's rural setting. Nationally, the dominant sectors are also similar, with healthcare and social assistance, and retail trade being significant, but manufacturing's share is generally lower. Compared to the state of Iowa, Benton County has a higher concentration in manufacturing and agriculture, reflecting the local economic landscape.

As of the latest data, Benton County, IA, has a median household income of approximately $66,900. When compared to the national median household income of around $68,700 and the Iowa state median of approximately $61,500, Benton County stands between the state and national averages, better than the state but slightly below the countrywide figure.

This comparison reflects the economic standing of Benton County within a broader context, highlighting its relative prosperity compared to the state average and its slight lag behind the national median income.

As of the latest available data, Benton County, Iowa, generally exhibits a lower crime rate compared to national averages.

Benton County Crime Statistics (per 1,000 residents annually):

The violent crime rate in Benton County is 2.5 per 1,000 residents, while the property crime rate stands at 9.7 per 1,000 residents. Notably, larceny-theft is the most prevalent type of property crime in the county.